Dedicated to helping at-risk youth in St. John the Baptist Parish, the ministry had recently procured the donation of an old school bus and had just spent a good deal of time and energy getting it ready to use.

But over two nights this week, vandals managed to put the bus out of commission and halt the ministry's future plans, Lucretia Scott, the founder of the local ministry.

Sometime Sunday night, a group of at least four youths attacked the bus, which had been parked with permission near the long-shuttered bowling alley, with bricks and shovels, breaking several windows and the entry door on the passenger side.

Scott was devastated when she saw the damage.

"We were just, just getting ready to use it," she said. "We had just gotten it back on line and on the road."

Scott said she dutifully reported the incident to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office.

"A deputy came out and took a report," Scott said. "Then she said, 'In all likelihood, they won't come back. You probably can leave it here.'"

But that night, the vandals returned, breaking even more windows and the passenger side of the bus' front windshield.

"It was just vicious," Scott said.

St. John Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Dane Clement said the office is investigating the incident, but he said witnesses were not able to give a description of the perpetrators nor offer any other details.

"We will need the assistance of the public to solve this case," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. John Sheriff's Office at 985.652.6338 or Crimestoppers at 504.822-1111 or 1.800.903.7867